Corn fertilizer

Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:45 am

What do you guys side dress your corn with and what are you growing for corn. Seems to be to to many types of corn available to grow...and when do you plant in your area. I am up in Southern New England on the coast with relatively mild winters due to the gulf stream keeping the temps down along the coast. Thanks!

Re: Corn fertilizer

Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:51 am

In the garden, 10-10-10 in the row, and side dress with 33-0-0 or 15.5-0-0 when the corn is about knee high. I can't tell you how much per acre or 1000 sq. ft. because we apply by hand. This sort of scenario is probably what the average gardener will do.

In the field, we either apply 300 lb/acre of 10-5-30 at planting, or turkey litter prior to planting with about 100 lbs. of 0-0-60 and then apply approx. 90-120 lbs. of N (30% liquid) at layby when the corn is knee-to-waist high.

A soil test will tell you for sure what you need, but plenty of N is the secret to corn production.

Al

Re: Corn fertilizer

Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:54 am

Thanks Al, First time trying to grow corn, always did squash, pumpkins, tomatoes and peppers. This should be fun.Chris

Re: Corn fertilizer

Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:01 am

Chris in your (and my area since we live in the same town) area you are looking at mid-late april under plastic, after may 1 for conventional planting, and you can stagger your plantings thru mid-june so you enjoy corn all summer.

In the event of cold, wet conditions, you always have a risk of the seed rotting, so check a few seeds and re-seed if this happens.

Without a soil test, 15-15-15 at 4-600 lbs per acre, then side-dress with 46-0-0 (urea) at 200 lbs/acre when the corn is 6-12 inches high. For maximum utilization of Nitrogen, it would be ideal to cultivate it into the soil. And if it rains shortly after, you will see the corn grow.

Re: Corn fertilizer

Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:07 am

600 pounds per acre???? Doesn't cow manure provide fertilizer?

Re: Corn fertilizer

Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:11 am

Cow manure is less than 1-1-1, believe it or not! That's right out of the cow. If moisture is removed, those numbers go up a little. But that's why manure is applied in tons, not pounds.

Re: Corn fertilizer

Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:15 am

I never use fertilizer just compost and manure and seaweed, hmmmmm I suppose I'll have to look into fertilizer costs. Isn't hard to buy ferrtilizer in bulk, too because of the terror issue?

Re: Corn fertilizer

Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:56 am

CapeCodCubs wrote:I never use fertilizer just compost and manure and seaweed, hmmmmm I suppose I'll have to look into fertilizer costs. Isn't hard to buy ferrtilizer in bulk, too because of the terror issue?

Common analyses come in 50 lb bags. If you want something special it would have to be in bulk by the ton.

Soil testing prior to planting is very very very very very very valuable in determing fertilizer needs. Not sure about other states but in NC basic nutrient analysis is a free service. Such testing usually includes a soil pH test. Adding necessary lime is just as important as fertilizer.

Al

Re: Corn fertilizer

Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:03 am

Well, I did go to a lecture about soil, and I will see about getting the soil tested. I had sheep and there were goats (lots of them) here for decades and have two feet of top soil in some places. Thanks I will have to find out who and where I can take soil samples to.

Now I have to find out a place to find reasonablely priced fertilizer, too.

Re: Corn fertilizer

Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:43 am

Soil samples. Your local State University Extension Office. They will have containers along with instructions on taking samples. Missouri, the test cost $15- per sample. Well worth the expenditure. Money saver in the short and long term.

Don't buy the fertilizer until you get the results from the soil sample(s). You may be pleasantly surprised with the test results.

No problem buying fertilizer in any quantity due to the terror issue.

Re: Corn fertilizer

Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:13 pm

I side dress my Bodacious sweet corn with 16-16-16 applied by hand, then hoed into the soil. Once at about 8-10 inches, then again at 18 inches.

Re: Corn fertilizer

Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:14 pm

Don McCombs wrote:I side dress my Bodacious sweet corn with 16-16-16 applied by hand, then hoed into the soil. Once at about 8-10 inches, then again at 18 inches.

What is your spacing of plants in the rows?

Re: Corn fertilizer

Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:17 pm

Six to eight inches. Everything is done by hand and eye.

Re: Corn fertilizer

Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:03 pm

I have raised sweet corn for forty five years. I used 12.12.12 before planting, then apply 46.0.0 Urea sparingly three times during the growing season. Leaves stay green and ears fill out good. This way works good for me. Urea is applied by hand, carefully so I do not burn corn.Bill